New Exhibit Opens, Fun Programs Scheduled

Connecting People to the River

January 2019

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New Year News!

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Now it's January - that time when many of us reassess our busy lives and think about what we hope to accomplish during the next year. At Susquehanna Heritage, we've set these priorities for the year so we can better serve our river communities:

We will continue to fight for Congressional designation of our region as the Susquehanna National Heritage Area! This national honor will showcase the rich history of our region, bring valuable support from the National Park Service, and enable us to offer new activities and opportunities for residents and visitors in our river communities.

We will expand public programs and activities at the river! New youth and family programs will share the river's natural and heritage stories. From home-school workshops to paddle excursions, Susquehanna Heritage will create new ways for you and your family to enjoy the river.

We will launch interpretative boat tours on the river! After finalizing the best options for a seasonal boat tour service on the river, we expect to launch pilot tours on Lake Clarke this summer.

We will work with regional tourism partners to promote the Susquehanna as a visitor destination! Extending the stays of visitors to experience the river's heritage and outdoor attractions brings economic vitality to our region.

With all these activities, we hope you'll visit the river in 2019. Get all the resources you need for your river adventure on our website or stop in at Columbia Crossing and the Zimmerman Center. See you at the Susquehanna!

Ice Harvesting Exhibit at Columbia Crossing

Susquehanna Heritage and local collector Lynn Smoker have worked together to create a new exhibit exploring ice harvesting along the Susquehanna. Travel back in time before electric refrigeration! The exhibit follows the process from river to ice box. Enjoy displays of local ice plows, tools, and ice boxes. Exhibit is open during Columbia Crossing's regular visitor hours.

Join us for a special Talk with the Collector on Thursday, January 24th at 6:30 PM when Lynn will discuss the exhibit and his collection of artifacts. Guests can enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, and other beverages. Suggested donation $10.

Zimmerman Center for Heritage Lecture

Jacob Dritt's Powder Horn

February 13th | 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Revolutionary War veteran Jacob Dritt is the most notable owner of the house the Zimmerman Center now occupies. Jacob's rich life was punctuated by his capture and imprisonment aboard an infamous British prison ship. Jacob is also an ancestor of Dr. Christian Keller, professor of military history at the U.S. Army War College. By chance, Dr. Keller became owner of Dritt's powder horn, leading him on a search for the story behind it. This talk will place Dritt's experiences within the greater context of what was happening in the Middle Colonies, with his powder horn being a physical reminder of his role in the War of Independence.

Advance registration required! Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Early Childhood Storytime Schedule Announced

Susquehanna Heritage has set the schedule for Tadpole Time! Bring your littlest explorers to Columbia Crossing every second Wednesday to explore the natural world along the river, with a nature-themed story, songs, and activities. Encourage your child's curiosity about the world around them. For children ages 2-5 with their caretakers. $4 per child. To register contact Columbia Crossing Program Coordinator Allison Scholz at [email protected] or at 717-449-5607 ext. 2.

Download your 2019 schedule here.

In This Issue

Ice Harvesting Exhibit

Zimmerman Center Lecture

Tadpole Time 2019 Schedule

Quick Links

Our Event Calendar

Susquehanna Heritage Facebook

Columbia Crossing Facebook

Susquehanna Riverlands

NW River Trail Map

River News

Columbia River Park creates plans to expand

A look back at the wettest year on record

Smallmouth bass river population is up

Debris from flooding still sits in Otter Creek - help the clean up effort!

Susquehanna Stewards!

Susquehanna Heritage asks you to be a good steward of our river and its history. Each month we'll share one way you can help the river. Try it out, make it a habit, and be a river steward!

This Month: BYOB!

(Bring your own Bag/Bottle!)

It's easy to reuse plastic grocery bags. Keep some in your car or carry a reusable bag for purchases at stores -- it can be used for more than groceries. Try to carry a reusable water bottle and fill it at a water fountain. Help reduce the amount of plastics with these simple options.

Welcome

Bill Wright!

Susquehanna Heritage is pleased to announce that Bill Wright has joined our team as Director of Community Giving! Bill brings a wealth of fundraising experience with local non-profit community organizations, as well as an earlier professional and educational background in history. He looks forward to making new connections and meeting all our Friends of the River!